Tennis

Wimbledon Embraces Technology: Electronic Line Calling to Debut in 2025The hallowed grounds of Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, are set to undergo a significant transformation in 2025. The All England Club (AELTC) has announced that electronic line calling (ELC) will be implemented on every court at next year's event, marking a departure from the long-standing tradition of line judges.This decision follows extensive testing during the 2023 Championships, which demonstrated the robustness and accuracy of the technology. "We consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating," said Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the AELTC.Wimbledon becomes the third of the four Grand Slams to adopt ELC. The US Open pioneered its use during the closed 2020 event, while the Australian Open followed suit in 2021. The ATP Tour is also set to implement ELC Live across all tournaments by the 2025 season."We have a responsibility to embrace innovation and new technologies," said ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi. "ELC has proven to be a valuable tool in enhancing the accuracy and consistency of line calls."While acknowledging the tradition of line umpires, the AELTC emphasized the need for progress. "Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating setup at The Championships for many decades and we recognize their valuable contribution," said Bolton. "However, we believe that ELC will ultimately provide a more accurate and consistent officiating system."In addition to the introduction of ELC, Wimbledon will also adjust the start times for the women's and men's singles finals. Both matches will now begin at 4 p.m. instead of 2 p.m., while the doubles championships will precede them at 1 p.m. over finals weekend. The mixed doubles final will maintain its provisional place on the second Thursday.These changes are part of Wimbledon's ongoing efforts to balance tradition with innovation. By embracing technology, the tournament aims to enhance the accuracy and fairness of its officiating while preserving the unique atmosphere and heritage that have made it one of the most prestigious events in tennis.

ATP Tour Updates Officiating Protocols After Electronic Line-Calling MalfunctionsThe ATP Tour has swiftly addressed concerns raised by players regarding electronic line-calling malfunctions, implementing a new officiating update that prioritizes common sense. The decision comes after a series of incidents at the Omnium Banque Open in Montreal and the Cincinnati Open, where players were denied points due to late or incorrect calls by the Hawkeye system.In a first-round match at the Cincinnati Open, Taylor Fritz and Brandon Nakashima were involved in a controversial incident where an automated "stop, stop" call halted a rally. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth initially granted a let, but later opted to replay the point after reviewing the screens and determining that a Nakashima ball earlier in the point was out. Fritz protested, arguing that the point should have been awarded to him since the ball was clearly out.Similar incidents occurred at the Montreal Open, where Frances Tiafoe was denied a point in his first-round match against Alejandro Tabilo. Players took to social media to express their frustration, with Daniil Medvedev calling the decision "ridiculous" and Alex Michelsen questioning why the point was being replayed.In response to the outcry, the ATP Tour conducted a thorough review of its protocols and issued an officiating update on Thursday. The update clarifies that if the Review Official determines during a rally that a ball was out earlier in the point (but was not called by the system), that decision will stand.The decision has been met with applause from players, who feel that common sense has finally prevailed. Fritz praised the ATP Tour for "doing better," while Ben Shelton emphasized the importance of relying on common sense in situations where the ball is clearly out but the automated call is delayed or absent.The ATP Tour's move to prioritize common sense in officiating is a positive step towards addressing the challenges posed by electronic line-calling. As the technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure that it complements the game and does not create unnecessary confusion or controversy.

Coco Gauff's French Open semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek was marred by a controversial line call that left the American fuming and calling for the implementation of video replay technology in tennis.During the second set, Swiatek hit a serve that was initially called out. However, as Gauff swung to return the ball, the call was reversed to "In," awarding the point to Swiatek. Gauff vehemently disagreed, claiming that she was affected by the original "Out" call and should have been allowed to finish her swing.Chair umpire Aurélie Tourte dismissed Gauff's protest, stating that the call did not affect her shot. This prompted an outburst from Gauff, who accused Tourte of being wrong and "should be ashamed."The incident highlighted the ongoing debate over the use of video replay in tennis. Gauff argued that it is "almost ridiculous" that the sport does not have such technology, especially considering its prevalence in other sports. She pointed out that the U.S. Open introduced replays for certain calls last year, and that tennis needs to "evolve" and embrace technology.Swiatek agreed with the principle of using replays but expressed concerns about its logistical implementation. She questioned when players would be allowed to request replays and whether it would be up to the umpire's discretion.The controversy underscores the need for a more consistent and fair system of officiating in tennis. While human error is inevitable, the use of video replay could help minimize incorrect calls and ensure that players are not penalized for decisions that are beyond their control.As the sport continues to grow and evolve, it is imperative that tennis adopts modern technology to enhance the fairness and integrity of its competitions. The implementation of video replay would not only benefit players but also improve the overall fan experience by providing greater clarity and transparency.